29/07/2010

Issued by York Minster 

York Minster's museum has been awarded Full Accreditation by the Museum, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Council - the only English Cathedral in the country to be awarded this honour so far. 

To acquire Accreditation a museum must demonstrate that it meets, and where possible exceeds, benchmarks in Governance & Management, Visitor Facilities, User Services and Collections Care.  The award relates to the spaces below the cathedral known as the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypts.

York Minster has an estimated 300,000 historic objects in its care and employs three full time professionals to curate them.  The museum collections are cared for by the Collections Manager, a museums specialist, and include textiles, furnishings, worked stone and other treasures. 

The museum explains how the site occupied by York Minster evolved from being the centre of the Roman Fortress of Eboracum to the largest Medieval Gothic Cathedral North of the Alps.  Items of interest include the 11th century Horn of Ulph, 13th century original painted ceiling panels from the Chapter House and the beaker used for Holy Communion at Haworth during the lives of the Bronte sisters between 1820 and 1861. 

Also on display is the rosary of Anthony Babington who famously led the catholic plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I in 1585-6.  Babington was almost certainly executed holding the rosary.  More recent items include the crucifix of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia which was given to the Minster in 1942.

Visiting York Minster's Museum has been described as ‘stepping back in time'. It is considered one of the most important sites in England after archaeologists discovered the ancient remains of the buildings that once existed on this site during the 1960s, when work to stop the Central Tower collapsing uncovered these incredible foundations.

Today, all are welcome to visit the award winning Museum and walk through hundreds of years of history. The MLA accreditation is a great achievement and acknowledges the commitment of all who work at York Minster to meet nationally agreed standards in order to provide visitors with the most informative and enjoyable experience possible.

It recognises that York Minster's Museum is a valuable learning resource for people of all ages, that it contributes to local economy by encouraging tourism and that it plays a key role in caring for the UK's cultural heritage. The Canon Chancellor of York Minster, the Reverend Glyn Webster says, ‘We are all thrilled that the Museum at York Minster has received accreditation. We want local residents to know that there is a remarkable museum right on their doorstep. This award recognises the high standard and service that York Minster's Museum provides and acknowledges the hard work of its volunteers and staff.'

To find out more about the Museums, libraries and Archives Council (MLA) please visit www.mla.gov.uk. To find out more about York Minster's Museum, including opening times and admission prices, please visit www.yorkminster.org .

Ends